The history of Prince William County’s GIS (Geographic Information Systems) can be traced back to 1984 as part of a recommendation to unite all existing mapping resources in the County. Within 3 years, they had purchases ESRI software and received delivery of traditional hardcopy and digital files from ortho photography and the County then began creating the anchor layers for its GIS system which were a street centerline network and parcels. Over 150 additional layers have been added throughout the 26 year history of the County’s GIS, all building from the initial data delivery in 1987.

In the late 1990’s and early 2000, PWC GIS began utilizing technology for publishing data on the Internet. It became apparent that this was the most effective and cost efficient way to distribute accurate GIS products and services. Since that time, PWC GIS has deployed 13 intra/internet mapping applications, along with 17 custom desktop applications and over 21 custom desktop tools for GIS users.

Milestones:

· First began in 1984 with a study of Land Information Systems in PWC

· Obtained base data that include 17 geodetic monuments and digital land base

· In 1987 purchased ESRI ArcInfo software suite

· In 1988 staff began digitizing parcel layer and developed street centerline network

· Converted from taxmap# to GPIN number in 1994

· First Internet Mapping Service (County Mapper) deployed in 1998

· Converted from International feet to US Survey foot in 2002

· Converted from coverage format to versioned geodatabase format 2006

· Established over 156 data layers in 26 years

HOW GIS IS USED IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY

Prince William County GIS is committed to developing GIS desktop applications, custom desktop tools, internet and web services to support the general public and user agencies with their business processes and decisions that impact the County Government. There are multiple ways that promote interoperability with the enterprise GIS and are connected to both GIS contributors and consumers.

PWC GIS staffing positions classifications consist of GIS database administrator, GIS System Developers, GIS Analysts I & IIs as well as management positions. These staff members are distributed among three teams, GIS Data Services Team, GIS Application Solutions Team, and Customer Support Services Team. GIS Data Services is responsible for the development and maintenance of all new and existing data layers for the enterprise GIS. GIS Application Solutions Team is responsible for the development and maintenance of all GIS related desktop/web applications, workflow processes and GIS technical support. Customer Support Services Team is responsible for addressing, plan (land, building, site, architectural, and plat) review, and frontline customer services. The GIS Division also houses the county demographer, who is responsible for calculating quarterly population and housing estimates, assisting county agencies with projects and tasks, addressing external demographic requests, and making PWC demographic data easily accessible to the general public. There are six additional agencies who have GIS Analyst position within their organization to perform agency specific tasks (ie. Planning, Public Works, Police, etc.)

AWARDS

· COVITS Governors Technology Award for Innovative Use of GIS Technology in Local Government – 2016

· ESRI's Special Achievement in Government Award – 2015

· Virginia Association of Counties Award – 2015

· COVITS Governors Technology Award for Government to Business Innovation – 2015